"Madara, slow down, no one's taking it from you~"
Gin looked at his little cousin scarfing food like a starving animal. His once-shiny upright black hair now clung flat to his scalp, dull and lifeless. His face, once full of youthful collagen, was now pale and sunken. His black eyes carried an expression that screamed "I've seen things, man". He looked like a withered old man. No wonder Gin had mistaken him earlier for some random uncle on the street.
"Exactly, here—eat some garlic, it'll replenish your energy."
Realizing something, Gin became unusually generous and scraped his leftover garlic towards Madara's younger brother. Clearly trying to stuff his mouth before he could badmouth him any further.
"Sniffle... thanks... spicy..."
"Cousin, what happened to Madara? Did something go wrong in the clan?"
Madara frowned deeply and turned to the shifty-eyed Gin. He remembered asking his cousin to manage clan affairs with Madara while he went into seclusion. Yet, while Gin looked just a bit drained, Madara looked like he'd been sucked dry. If someone didn't know better, they'd think he used a life-draining forbidden technique.
"Er... probably because little cousin over-rewarded himself while you were gone~"
Gin scratched his face awkwardly, blaming Madara's current state on his own overindulgence.
"Ugh... Big bro! Big cousin's not even human!!"
Madara finally licked his plate clean and regained some strength. He clutched his older brother's sleeve and burst into tears, sobbing and shouting.
"Wash your hands first. Then talk."
Seeing his younger brother in this sorry state, Gin had a pretty good guess what happened. He sighed and glanced at Gin, who wore a completely innocent face. Of course—it was that cousin's fault again.
"You really didn't do anything productive, did you?"
Madara gently comforted his brother, then turned to Gin with a scratching head, asking in a half-scolding tone.
"Well... not nothing! I did organize severance pay for the brothers in the dungeon. Didn't cost the clan a cent~"
Gin replied, eyes twinkling with pride, rubbing his head as if he'd done something incredible.
"You dare boast! Yesterday you offended every single member of the new Shinobi Alliance!"
Hearing Gin brag, Madara's temple bulged with a vein. Gin had stirred up a storm yesterday. According to Madara's intel, the Shinobi Alliance had spent nearly three billion ryo to ransom the prisoners from the dungeon—and now they had a bone to pick with the Uchiha.
"Wait, is that true?"
Madara frowned. While he didn't care about retaliation, Gin was physically weak. If someone played dirty, he'd be the first to suffer.
"Relax, they're all buddies of mine. If you don't believe me, I'll introduce you next time~"
Gin protested and insisted the Shinobi Alliance folks were all close bros, practically family.
"Madara, any news from Hashirama recently?"
Madara changed the topic, clearly having no faith in Gin's networking skills.
"Lately, Hashirama seems to be negotiating with the Daimyō to formally establish Konoha's legal status."
"Oh? Did he succeed?"
Seems Hashirama had even grander ambitions beyond founding a village.
"The nobles want peace too. War hurts their tax income, and they're not living comfortably."
The current peace in the Land of Fire was exactly what the nobles wanted. So they supported Hashirama's vision of unifying ninja under one banner.
"The Daimyō even invited him for a private meeting. Looks like it's nearly settled."
Though Madara didn't like seeing the Senju taking the spotlight, even he had to admit this was a positive development for all shinobi.
"It's already come this far, huh... Hashi-rama~"
After hearing so many updates right after coming out of seclusion, Madara was filled with emotions. Though pleased with Konoha's prosperity under Hashirama, a strange feeling stirred inside him.
Half a month later, members of the Shinobi Alliance and the Hyūga clan began relocating to Konoha. Their pre-planned compounds were filling with life, and the streets grew busier.
After welcoming the last batch, Hashirama led a team to the capital to attend the Daimyō's meeting.
A few days later, Hashirama returned to Konoha with great news.
In a not-so-large office, representatives of every clan stood around. Hashirama and Madara sat at opposite ends of the table, smiling with barely concealed joy.
"Big bro, everyone's here. Time to make the announcement."
Tobirama, playing secretary, whispered from the side.
"Madara, why don't you do it?"
Hashirama looked at the paper but handed the honor over to Madara, which made Tobirama roll his eyes.
"You're the one who did the work and made sacrifices. I won't take your credit."
Madara raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. But when he glanced at Tobirama's frown, his mood instantly soured.
"Fine. Same difference anyway!"
Hashirama grinned, picked up the paper, and stood up.
"Everyone, I bring good news."
As he spoke, all the clan representatives straightened up, listening attentively.
"The Daimyō has signed the One Nation, One Village system with Konoha. Konoha is now the sole legal ninja organization in the Land of Fire. Every year, we'll receive funding for infrastructure and talent development. In return, we'll maintain peace and take on missions properly and transparently."
When Hashirama finished, a wave of murmurs broke out.
"Does this mean we're permanently under the Daimyō's payroll?"
A spiky-haired man with narrow eyes raised his hand and questioned loudly.
"No, Nara clan head. Konoha and the Land of Fire are equals. It's a mutually beneficial partnership."
Hashirama smiled and answered calmly.
"Then I have no further questions~"
Satisfied that Konoha retained its autonomy, the Nara patriarch stopped probing.
"Congratulations, Senju-sama!"
"Long live Konoha!"
With the issue clarified, the rest began celebrating—finally official, with lifetime job security for all future generations.
After the meeting, Hashirama and Madara walked to their childhood cliffside hangout, overlooking the lively village. They shared a peaceful moment, both grinning softly.
"Hashi-rama, aren't you going to tell them about your sacrifice? They probably think you just sweet-talked the nobles into it."
After a long silence, Madara turned to his friend.
"Hahaha, well, not a big deal. The Daimyō took a liking to my son and insisted on marrying off his daughter."
Hashirama laughed and scratched his head. Besides the treaty, he'd also arranged a marriage between his son and the Daimyō's precious daughter.
"Pffft."
Without that marriage, the Daimyō probably wouldn't have agreed to the deal.
"Honestly, you didn't need to. Your son's talented. Marrying a noble might hold him back."
Madara sighed, voice tinged with regret.
"What could I do? If only you had a child, Madara. I'd have recommended him instead~"
Now that was some passive-aggressive teasing.
"Hmph, who says I don't? I actually have a very suitable candidate~"
Madara smirked like he'd pulled a fast one.
"What, you had a secret love child!?"
Hashirama gasped.
"Spit! Don't slander me. I meant my cousin! He's still single, kinda lazy, but if you clean him up a bit, he's... passably charming. The Daimyō might accept him."
Madara grinned evilly, throwing Gin under the bus.
"Gin, huh... I do recall the Daimyō has a sister, unmarried, just over fifty. Same age range. A match made in heaven~"
Hashirama quickly followed suit, joining the roast.
"Bwahahaha!"
The two locked eyes and burst out laughing like boys again. The past came rushing back.
"Ah-choo!!"
Elsewhere, on a remote island, a curly-haired man with hands covered in strange liquid sneezed violently.
"Who's thinking about me? Byakuya?"
"Hurry up, Mister Kidnapper~ I can't wait anymore!"
In front of him lay a smooth jade-white back. The girl turned her head with a teasing voice.
This back... it'd be a waste not to cup it.
"You had to bring your own toys too? Think my repertoire's too limited?"
Gin spread the viscous liquid between the girl's toes, applying chakra-enhanced pressure.
"Hnn~ tickles~"
Feeling the tingly sensation, Mito raised her head and bit her lip, red hair fanning out behind her.
"Ah~ Ah~"
As Gin's chakra seeped into every acupuncture point in her feet, Mito curled up like a shrimp, body trembling, sweat drenching the snowy sheets.
"What? That's it? I haven't even boarded the train yet."
Gin blinked.
"Haa~ Mister Kidnapper... you're as good as ever."
Mito purred, tracing his face and lips, licking her own.
"Oi, slow down, you're royalty now. Can't you be more composed?"
Gin muttered as she increased her pace.
"Pop!"
"Hmmph... I taste another woman. Don't lie to me. You saw someone else, didn't you?"
Mito's eyes burned with jealousy. She rarely got more than three or four meetings with Gin each month.
"Wait... no way. I didn't... unless... was it Yami last night?!"
Gin suddenly remembered seeing a pair of Sharingan before passing out, only to wake up next to Hikari.
"Tsk! That thief! I trusted her! Should've sent her to Tortoise Island..."
Mito clenched her fists, furious.
"Alright alright, don't be mad. Next time, let her taste you~"
Gin nuzzled her, whispering into her ear.
"Hmph... that'd be too nice for her."
Feeling something behind her, Mito's complaints vanished as she began to sway her hips again.
"Ah~"
After their passionate encounter, Mito lay in Gin's arms, drawing circles on his chest.
"How did you know the One Nation, One Village system would happen?"
"It was inevitable. And didn't it work well for your Whirlpool Country too?"
Gin ran his fingers through her red hair, the other hand playing with her softness.
"Be gentle~"
"Our country is small but unified. So it was easy."
Mito swatted his hand and explained.
"It'll help develop a nation's strength. Any country that hesitates will fall behind."
With the Fire Country leading, others would copy the model soon enough.
"Should I just move the Uzumaki clan to Konoha? It's boring in the Whirlpool Country~"
Mito hugged his arm tightly.
"Don't! If we ever get booted from Konoha, I need a backup escape route."
Gin knew better than to keep all his eggs in one basket. Especially with two and a half women already at home. Adding Mito... the horror.
"Fine, but you have to visit me weekly!"
She pouted, knowing it was unrealistic, especially with the country thriving and dominating the eastern sea.
"Of course. Any trouble recently?"
Gin rubbed his sore waist.
"Nope! Last time that old guy named Hakuren showed up, I bashed his head in with your hammer. His eyes went cross-eyed haha~"
Hearing that warmed Gin's heart—but also chilled his loins. Just thinking of her wrecking a whole ship with that hammer...
"Time to go."
After a moment of rest, Gin touched her forehead and sensed the growing chakra in her seal.
"Mm."
Mito quickly dressed, tying her red hair into a bun again, radiating that fierce pirate aura.
"I'll take you back~"
Gin teleported them both back to her room.
"Come again next week!"
"Count on it!"
With a final smile, Gin vanished in golden light.
"Hmm~ What toy should I try next week..."
—
"Madara, you should be Hokage. But you look too grumpy—we'll need to beautify your face on the rock carving~"
Late at night, Madara lay awake, haunted by Hashirama's words.
"Hokage... am I truly worthy?"
Konoha was their shared dream. The name came from Madara, as a tribute to Hashirama's Wood Style.
And "Hokage" was Hashirama's tribute to the Uchiha clan's fire heritage.
Of course Madara wanted to be Hokage—but he didn't want pity or favoritism. He wanted to earn it fair and square.
"Hashirama... this time, I won't lose to you!"
With eyes full of determination, Madara clenched his fist.
Elsewhere, the Senju brothers were arguing.
"Hokage?! Big bro, I'm begging you—don't just hand it to him! Recommend him, fine. But if you cheat the vote, I won't stand for it! This isn't Father's era anymore—everything must follow the will of the people!"
(End of Chapter)
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